Bryce Canyon NP -- Bristlecone Loop (4-20-17)

If Bryce Canyon National Park could be considered the 'bonus stop' of our 2017 Southwest Trip then the hike we discovered at the south end of the park should certainly be considered the 'bonus stop' of our 'bonus stop'. After our magnificent hike around the famous and magnificent Bryce Amphitheater we decided to make the drive south through the park along the 17-mile road to a place called Rainbow Point. Earlier, however, I had made a discovery which gave us an added reason to make the drive. What I had learned was that a little one-mile loop trail extends out from Rainbow Point providing the chance to see a particular natural feature that I didn't think we should miss. It's here, at the highest elevations of Bryce Canyon National Park, that there is found one of the oldest living organisms on the planet...the Bristlecone Pine.

The Bristlecone Pine is, as its name suggests, a member of the Pine family of trees and grows native in some of the harshest climates found in the high deserts and mountains of the Western United States. These hardy trees are magnificent survivors. Using the severe climates they grow in to their advantage by surviving where most other species can't, these ancient trees can grow to astounding old age. In Great Basin National Park in Nevada the oldest Bristlecone Pine yet dated is 5,066 years in age! To provide some perspective, it means that particular pine had already reached the ripe old age of 500 when the Egyptians built the Pyramids of Giza!!! The Bristlecone's of Bryce Canyon are not nearly so aged, however. At around 1,800-years of age, they're barely middle-aged as far as the species goes, but its still hard not to appreciate trees which first germinated during the time of the Roman Empire.

An added bonus to this hike also was the good bit of snow we found still surviving in late April at these 9,000+ foot elevations of the park. It added yet another bit of unique atmosphere to our surroundings. Starting the hike from the aforementioned Rainbow Point we first enjoyed the magnificent panorama north and east from the overlook. The colorful cliffs that Bryce Canyon is so famous for continue to be seen in abundance here as well as the beautiful landscape above and below then cloaked in a dark forest of pine, fir, and spruce. The loop begins just south of the overlook and started out by hugging closely to the cliff tops providing still more fantastic views. The trail then entered the dark high-elevation conifer forest which typifies this area of the park. Winding gently downward the trail eventually broke out of the trees atop yet another spectacular escarpment known as the Pink Cliffs. It's here where the trails ancient namesake resides. Scattered along the cliff edge and back into the forest surrounding them are Bristlecone's of every size. Some are shorter than a man while others approach the heights of most other neighboring trees. Any number of places along this exposed section of trail were perfect for quiet reflection of the majesty, both dramatic and subtle, which surrounded us. The return hike was much like the approach, though this time it involved a gentle climb through the snowy woods.

Though lacking the dizzying assault of colorful natural eye-candy of our earlier hike, this little trail still provided scenery which far outweighed the minuscule effort it took to walk it. The views, as anywhere at Bryce, are fantastic and the opportunity to be accompanied on our walk by 1,800-year old companions was in itself a wonder. So, without further adieu, I invite you along on our bonus hike at Bryce Canyon National Park...as always, please ENJOY!!!

Bryce Canyon NP -- Bristlecone Loop (4-20-17)

Our route as tracked by the Gaia GPS app and depicted a la Google Earth...

Bristlecone Loop Trail -- Route Map

Our route as tracked by the Gaia GPS app...

Rainbow Point -- 9,115'

The trail begins from the parking area at the Rainbow Point Overlook. This spot marks one of the highest elevations in the park...

Rainbow Point -- 9,115'

The panorama looking north from panorama point. At this high elevation snow still sat deep on the east-facing slopes providing yet more color to the already vibrant landscape...

Rainbow Point -- 9,115'

Deep snow along the cliffs to the north...

Rainbow Point -- 9,115'

Looking more easterly from the overlook the red rocks of Ponderosa Ridge stretch away to the right while to the left are the forested lowlands of Black Birch Canyon...

Rainbow Point -- 9,115'

Overlooking Black Birch Canyon from Rainbow Point...

Rainbow Point -- 9,115'

Looking down Ponderosa Ridge from Rainbow Point...

Bristlecone Loop Trailhead -- 9,115'

The loop begins from the east side of the parking lot. It's a short hike, but it promised some very unique scenery...

Bristlecone Loop Trail -- 9,120'

We were immediately concerned that the trail might not be entirely passable when we soon ran into un-melted drifts like this to cross...

Bristlecone Loop Trail -- 9,120'

The forest up here is a mix of Blue Spruce, Douglas Fir, and White Fir. The Bristlecone's for which the trail is named wouldn't appear until the far end of the loop...

Bristlecone Loop Trail -- 9,110'

Initially walking the edge of the ridge we were treated to more views of colorful Ponderosa Ridge...

Bristlecone Loop Trail -- 9,100'

The start of the loop begins here, we'd be heading straight left following the trail in a clockwise direction...

Bristlecone Loop Trail -- 9,100'

More magnificent views through the trees to the east...

Bristlecone Loop Trail -- 9,080'

Soon the trail left the edge of the cliffs and turned to begin a gentle descent through the high-elevation forest...

Bristlecone Loop Trail -- 9,060'

This was a far cry from the desert trails we had walked in the past few days...

Bristlecone Loop-Under The Rim Trail Junction -- 9,050'

Here the long-distance Under the Rim Trail breaks left. This spot marks the southern terminus of the 23-mile footpath which runs beneath the cliffs of Bryce from here to the north end of the park...

Bristlecone Loop Trail -- 9,040'

The surrounding forest...

Bristlecone Loop Trail -- 9,020'

The greens of the forest contrasted beautifully with the white patches of snow and the bright blue sky. Despite a lack of eye-catching scenery it was still a wonderful walk...

Bristlecone Loop Trail -- 9,000'

A little less than half a mile in we reached the southern end of the loop at this small covered pavilion...

Bristlecone Loop Trail -- 9,000'

From in front of the pavilion we were treated to this magnificent view of what is simply known as 'The Promontory' (9,091') and the beautiful landscape of the Pink Cliffs below...

Bristlecone Loop Trail -- 9,000'

A panoramic shot of the view form the south end of the loop taking in The Promontory (9,091') and the Pink Cliffs...

Bristlecone Loop Trail -- 9,000'

The steepest part of the hike (though it was hardly steep) was this portion as the trail leaves the pavilion to the west...

Bristlecone Pine -- 9,020'

The long awaited stars of this hike finally made an appearance alongside the trail as it followed the edge of the Pink Cliffs. These Bristlecone Pines, some of the oldest-living trees on earth, are over 1,500-years old...

Bristlecone Loop Trail -- 9,020'

Our gaze couldn't help but be drawn back to The Promontory as we climbed into the Bristlecone area...

Bristlecone Pine -- 9,040'

This old Bristlecone sits at one of the more exposed areas along the top of the Pink Cliffs. Unfortunately, it looks like it may have passed away...likely at over 1,800 years of age...

Bristlecone Loop Trail -- 9,050'

Looking due south over what I believe is known as Corral Hollow...

Bristlecone Pine -- 9,050'

Looking south from atop the Pink Cliffs through the branches of a "young" Bristlecone...

Bristlecone Loop Trail -- 9,050'

Rounding the the west side of the point we were atop the rest of the magnificent Pink Cliffs came into view...

Bristlecone Loop Trail -- 9,040'

The trail as it climbs along the edge of the cliffs...

Bristlecone Loop Trail -- 9,050'

We dared not get to close to the edge as the ground near the edges looked very crumbly and unstable...

A small shack of some sort sat perched atop the cliffs just off the trail...

Bristlecone Loop Trail -- 9,050'

The trail now turned back into the forest and into some of the deepest snow of the entire hike...

Bristlecone Loop Trail -- 9,100'

Back into winter for a few minutes...

Bristlecone Loop Trail -- 9,080'

It was cool to see these bare melted bowls surrounding the trees where radiant heat from the plants themselves had melted through the snow...

Bristlecone Loop-Riggs Spring Loop Trail Junction -- 9,070'

Closing the loop portion of the hike as we near the parking area once again...

Bristlecone Loop Trail -- 9,100'

I noticed a number of these huge dead snags along the hike. I'm curious what might be the cause for the mortality of these large trees. If anyone who has a better knowledge of western ecology knows I'd appreciate the info...

Bristlecone Loop Trail -- 9,100'

Nearing the cliffs of Rainbow Point once again...

Bristlecone Loop Trail -- 9,100'

Looking north once again along the colorful eastern cliffs of Bryce Canyon...

Bristlecone Loop Trailhead -- 9,115'

Returning to the parking lot...it had been a beautiful hike on so many different levels. It was a shame that our time at Bryce had to be so short but I couldn't be more grateful to have had the chance to visit regardless...